Once-powerful Haitian drug lord to appear today before a
Miami federal judge for a sharp reduction of his prison sentence

MIAMI — A once-powerful
Haitian drug lord could get his prison sentence sharply reduced because of
his assistance to prosecutors in other cases.

A hearing was set Tuesday in
Miami federal court for 48-year-old Beaudoin "Jacques" Ketant. Prosecutors
are recommending that his 27-year sentence be cut because of his help in
convicting numerous
Haitian politicians, law enforcement officials and drug traffickers.

At his 2004 sentencing, Ketant claimed former
President Jean-Bertrand Aristide turned Haiti into a "narco-country."

The final decision rests with Chief U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno.

Authorities say Ketant helped move 41 tons of cocaine through
Haiti to the U.S. from 1987 to 1996. He once lived in a lavish hilltop
mansion overlooking Port-au-Prince and sent his son to a fancy private school.

At his 2004 sentencing, Ketant claimed former President
Jean-Bertrand Aristide turned
Haiti into a "narco-country." Aristide's U.S.-based attorneys have denied
that claim.